THE GRUNT - Marine Corps League GRUNT The Lakeland Grunt, PO Box 0008, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 April...
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Your Officers for 2014 Charles Huha-Commandant 835-2315 [email protected] Michael McNulty—Sr. Vice 732-213-5264 [email protected] Kevin O’Leary -Jr. Vice 201-644-8078 [email protected] Peter Alvarez—Paymaster/Adj 839-5693 [email protected] Paul Thompson Service Officer 201-651-1822 [email protected] Ray Sears– Judge Advocate 694-8457 [email protected] Theresa Muttel– Secretary 764-9565 [email protected] Bill De Lorenzo—Legal Officer 201-337-6677 [email protected] Dennis Kievit—Chaplain 201-825-0183 [email protected] Frank Sanclementi—Sgt-at-arms 839-1499 [email protected] T.K. Rydgren Monument Super. 208-1314 Ray Sears Range & Rifle Squad Officer H. Bruining PR/Photographer 301 -693-6717 Phil Barnett—Editor Emeritus Fr Larry Anderson O.F.M. 835-5594 x112 All exchanges are 973 unless otherwise noted THE GRUNT The Lakeland Grunt, PO Box 0008, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 April 2014 Commandants Corner August 2014 Phil Barnett—Editor Emeritus Mike McNulty –Editor This month we celebrate the life of legendary Ma- rine hero, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. He was born in his parent’s home, November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York. He was the sixth of ten chil- dren of Dora and Salvatore Basilone who emigrat- ed from Naples, Italy in 1903. The family relocated to Raritan, New Jersey where he grew up, attend- ed school and worked. He left middle school to become a caddy, but, soon tired of that and in, 1934, enlisted in the Army. He completed his three year enlistment in the Philippines where he became a champion boxer, earning the title “Manila John”. In July 1940, he enlisted in the Ma- rine Corps out of Baltimore, Maryland. He wanted to get back to the Philippines where he had many fond memories. Initially he was assigned duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Finally, in 1942, he re- ceived orders for the pacific to fight the Japanese. His first stop was Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. The enemy finally relinquished their hold on the island in February, 1943. However, it was on this island that John received his Medal of Honor for successfully defending Henderson Airfield by hold- ing off and destroying 3,000 Japanese with his ma- chine gun unit of fifteen men. At the end he had two men left and he was armed with a machete and a.45 pistol. For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in Melbourne, Aus- tralia, where the Marines were posted to re-group while planning their next strategy. In 1943, he was returned to the United States to participate in the war bond effort where he became a celebrity, a living example of bravery and the bold American spirit. John tried getting reassigned back to his unit on several occasions, refused a commission as an officer and eventually at Camp Pendleton met the love of his life in Sergeant of the Marine Cont pg.3
Transcript of THE GRUNT - Marine Corps League GRUNT The Lakeland Grunt, PO Box 0008, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 April...
Your Officers for 2014
Charles Huha-Commandant 835-2315
Michael McNulty—Sr. Vice 732-213-5264 [email protected]
Kevin O’Leary -Jr. Vice 201-644-8078 [email protected]
Peter Alvarez—Paymaster/Adj 839-5693 [email protected]
Paul Thompson Service Officer 201-651-1822 [email protected]
Ray Sears– Judge Advocate 694-8457 [email protected]
Theresa Muttel– Secretary 764-9565 [email protected]
Bill De Lorenzo—Legal Officer 201-337-6677 [email protected]
Dennis Kievit—Chaplain 201-825-0183 [email protected]
Frank Sanclementi—Sgt-at-arms 839-1499 [email protected]
T.K. Rydgren Monument Super. 208-1314
Ray Sears Range & Rifle Squad Officer H. Bruining PR/Photographer 301 -693-6717
Phil Barnett—Editor Emeritus
Fr Larry Anderson O.F.M. 835-5594 x112
All exchanges are 973 unless otherwise noted
THE GRUNT The Lakeland Grunt, PO Box 0008, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442 April 2014
Commandants Corner
August 2014 Phil Barnett—Editor Emeritus Mike McNulty –Editor
This month we celebrate the life of legendary Ma-rine hero, Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. He was born in his parent’s home, November 4, 1916 in Buffalo, New York. He was the sixth of ten chil-dren of Dora and Salvatore Basilone who emigrat-ed from Naples, Italy in 1903. The family relocated to Raritan, New Jersey where he grew up, attend-ed school and worked. He left middle school to become a caddy, but, soon tired of that and in, 1934, enlisted in the Army. He completed his three year enlistment in the Philippines where he became a champion boxer, earning the title “Manila John”. In July 1940, he enlisted in the Ma-rine Corps out of Baltimore, Maryland. He wanted to get back to the Philippines where he had many fond memories. Initially he was assigned duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Finally, in 1942, he re-ceived orders for the pacific to fight the Japanese. His first stop was Guadalcanal on August 7, 1942. The enemy finally relinquished their hold on the island in February, 1943. However, it was on this island that John received his Medal of Honor for successfully defending Henderson Airfield by hold-ing off and destroying 3,000 Japanese with his ma-chine gun unit of fifteen men. At the end he had two men left and he was armed with a machete and a.45 pistol. For his heroic actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in Melbourne, Aus-tralia, where the Marines were posted to re-group while planning their next strategy. In 1943, he was returned to the United States to participate in the war bond effort where he became a celebrity, a living example of bravery and the bold American spirit. John tried getting reassigned back to his unit on several occasions, refused a commission as an officer and eventually at Camp Pendleton met the love of his life in Sergeant of the Marine
Cont pg.3
Service Officers Report
On September 27th we're hosting three veterans hospitals at the Oakland Elks for a "Picnic"!
It will go from 12-to-3pm.We expect 75-80 veterans coming up that Sunday and we need your help!
Please call me, and I will assign you a responsibility for the picnic. We need cooks, servers, etc. Any-one that can make it earlier that day, I'll need volunteers for set up, and I'll need help at the end, put-
ting everything away. Wear your Marine Corp insignia, and your smile, an spread comradeship!
This is a joint project with the Oakland Elks. Let's show our fellow veterans a great time, with good cooking and a fun afternoon!
Paul Thompson
It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press. It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech. It's the Soldier, not the poli cians that ensures
Our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag.
If you care to offer the smallest token of recogni on and apprecia on for the Military, please pass this on.
Commadants message (cont)
met the love of his life in Sergeant of the Marine Corps, Lena Mae Riggi. They married on July 19, 1944. In late 1944, John’s unit was ordered back to the Pacific. Although he could have stayed in California, he insisted on going to war with his men. The next battle was on Iwo Jima, and would be john’s last battle. John went shore with the first wave on February 19, 1945 at approximately 0930 hours. John’s unit was pinned down and taking heavy fire. Through his actions, he single-handedly destroyed a pillbox with grenades and demolitions, then guided a tank through a minefield to safety while taking heavy fire. While moving along the edge of an airfield with three other Marines, they were hit by mortar shrapnel, killing them all. John’s actions helped the Marines get off the beach in the early stages of the invasion which would take over a month to complete. For his actions on Iwo Jima, John Basilone was awarded the Navy Cross for Valor. On December 21, 1945, John posthu-mously received a singular honor when a Destroyer, launched in Orange, Texas, was named after him. His widow Lena was there to sponsor the ship.
John’s wife, Lena, never re-married and passed away in 1999 at the age of 83. She too was a hero in her own right by helping others, volunteering at the women’s Marine Association and the Ameri-can Veteran’s auxiliary.
I look forward to September 21, 2014 and an outstanding turnout by Lakeland Marines in honor of this true Marine hero on the occasion of the celebration of his life at the parade in Raritan, New Jer-sey.
Semper Fi.,
Charlie
Chaplains Desk
EMBLEM OF FAITH
This is the story of an emblem,
That's been carried many years, Glorified in honor,
And to our hearts endeared. Now it's one that's mighty sacred,
And that without a doubt. Though cast of baser metal,
It's beautiful throughout. There have been other costly ornaments,
Made of gold and such-- When worn by stately people, They've never meant so much.
For this one pledged to freedom, If you choose to sail or stand,
Emblazoning man's God-given right, On any sea or land.
It's the eagle , globe and anchor, Portraying each fine ideal--
Molded out of brass, And worn by men of steel. The enemy has yet to stop, The eagle brave and bold.
He anchors to his new-one ground, And what he takes he holds.
When this war is over, And the job is done up right,
Let's call this bird "Old Faithful", For he always led the fight.
And in your prayers for fighting men, We have heard the eagle's screams,
Include, "Semper Fidelis"-- The pledge of our Marines!
R.P. Wells (Thanks, Geo Vankat)
Dennis Kievit / Chaplain Lakeland Detachment MCL# 744
Phone: (201) 825-0183
MCL 2014 Schedule All M. C. League meetings start at 1900 (7:00pm)
ELKS, 33 Ramapo Vally Rd, Pompton Lakes, NJ 07442
DATE: EVENT: ADDRESS:
SEPTEMBER
9/1/2014 Riverdale Street Fair
9/13/2014 Detachment Picnic Elks
9/14/2014 Marine / Elks Breakfast
9/15/2014 Hope for the Warriors Golf Outing Falkirk Country Club
9/20/2014 Mahwah Day Rose Program TBD
9/21/2014 Basilone Parade in Raritan
9/25/2014 Reg monthly meeting Oakland Elks Officer Vote
9/29/2014 Toys for Tots Golf Outing Piccatinny Arse-nal
OCTOBER
10/04/2014 Allendale Day Main Street
10/8/2014 Bingo Lyons VA Hospital
10/12/2014 Adorno Fathers Fair Darlington Ave Ramsey NJ
10/18/2014 M1 Garand Shoot Cherry Ridge Range
10/23/2014 Reg monthly meeting Oakland Elks Induction of Officers ELKS
NOVEMBER
11/7/2014 Birthday Ball Portobello
11/8/2014 Picatinny Marine ball
11/11/2011 Veteran's Day Monument
11/27/2014 Reg monthly meeting Oakland Elks ELKS
DECEMBER
12/5/2014 Off Station Christmas party for Veterans Paramus Vets
12/21/2014 Marine / Elks Christmas Brunch Elks
* car pool for BINGO meets at 1730 (5:30pm) at Oakland Elks
In Country
This mortar Platoon is in an undisclosed area in the middle east. The big tall guy to the left of the Red white and blue is Lt. Kevin Dolan. He is the grandson of our very own Bob Gay. Kevin's platoon is busy keeping the enemy in check with daily ser-vos (And a few at night!) It is important to remember we still have boots on the ground in hostile territory. Please support Mah-wah Marine Moms and any veterans organization that sends care packages to our troops. Please keep all our troops in your prayers at night “A soldier does not fight because he hates what he sees in front of him. A soldier fights because he loves what he has left behind!”
Semper Fi Marines!
Mike
Kevin Woodard with his son Kevin Jr.
Kevin is 22 years old a recent graduate of Purdue where he earned his Bachelors degree in engineering. Cpl Woodard is very proud of 2nd Lt. Woodard who completed the OCS?PLC program in August of 2013 at MCB Quantico. Kevin graduated as platoon commander. Kevin received his commission on May 17, 2014 Lt. Woodard has also joined the Lakeland De-tachment #744 as a new member as of this July 2014.
Kevin has a great future ahead of him and we will all be supporting him as only Marines can. “Semper Fi”
Happy Birthday
Bob Bateson Sept. 22 Mike Fields Sept. 21 Seifried Sept. 17
Fred Hanle Sept. 26 Gene Kelley Sept 23 Skawinski Sept 09
Kuhn Sr. Sept. 28 Robert Moir Sept 11 Vitale Sept. 07
744 falls from the sky!
Justin Miller, Ben Casio, 2nd Lt Kevin Woodard and G/2/25 Marines went out to Sussex NJ for a little Skydiving adventure. This was Kevin's first jump and Bens first jump in 30 years. Ben said it was just like riding a bike and it all came back to him! Thank you Justin for the invita-tion. Justin would like to see more of the 744 in the sky in the future……...SF
Photos from GySgt Mario Monaco of the flag raising at Patriots Park, including our own Paul Chuperko.
Olde Tyme Pictures
Paul Cherpurko
Mike McNulty
The Oakland Elks & Marine Corps League #744
Invites you to our Third Sunday Monthly Breakfast
Sunday September 14th 8am-12pm
“Best Breakfast Around”
Enjoy Fresh Eggs to Order
Omelettes & Scrambled Eggs
Pancakes & French Toast & waffles
Bacon & Sausage
Home Fries
Coffee & Orange Juice
Adults $9.00
$8.00 Seniors & children under 10 free
33 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436
